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Our kids LOVE everything sprinkle – especially these sprinkle sugar cookies!
Think of them as the life of the party, just like those funfetti treats we all adore. Each bite is a soft, sweet sugar cookie explosion, jazzed up with a rainbow of colorful sprinkles mixed right into the dough. They’re like little edible celebrations, guaranteed to bring a smile to anyone’s face. That’s one reason our kids love to have these as birthday treats – especially for sharing!
And the best part? They’re not fussy to make! We started with a basic sugar cookie (with a short chill time) and mixed in plenty of colorful sprinkles – plus a few on top to make them even prettier!
Whether you’re having a big birthday bash or a small family gathering, these cookies are a simple yet special treat that fits right in.
For more sprinkle cookie fun, try our 3-ingredient Sugar Cookies and Funfetti Cake Mix Cookies.
Why we think you’ll love it:
- Make any day a fun day! They’re easy to grab, fun to eat, and they just scream “celebration!” Even better, they are super soft and perfectly sweet.
- Extra easy. These easy cookies are ready to share in only an hour, and the dough can easily be made and chilled ahead of time! Plus, they’re super kid-friendly (and let’s be honest, adult-friendly too!
- For birthdays! What makes these sprinkle sugar cookies so perfect for birthdays? Well, they’re inherently festive!
Sprinkle Sugar Cookie Ingredients and Substitutions
- ½ cup butter, softened – We used unsalted butter, but salted can also be used. Be sure the butter is softened and not melted.
- ¾ cup sugar – granulated sugar
- 1 large egg – Room temperature eggs incorporate better than cold eggs.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1½ cups flour – see How to Measure Flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon cream of tartar
- ½ cup rainbow sprinkles – We used rainbow jimmies, but other sprinkles can be used.
How to Make Sprinkle Sugar Cookies
- PREP. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment or a silicone baking mat.
- BATTER. In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla until well blended. Add the flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, and cream of tartar, and mix until a dough forms. Fold in sprinkles until well distributed.
- Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes.
- BAKE. Scoop the dough into 1-inch balls and place on the prepared baking sheets, sprinkling with additional sprinkles if desired.
- Bake 10 minutes. Remove and let cool for 5-10 minutes on the baking sheet before removing to a cooling rack. The cookies will look very soft and undercooked when pulled out, but they will cook more as they cool on the pan. Enjoy!
Kristyn’s Recipe Tips
- We used soft rainbow jimmies; for a crunchier texture, try using nonpareil sprinkles. Holiday-shaped sprinkles are also fun to use.
- Chilling the dough helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking and helps the flavors meld.
- Easily switch up the flavor of the dough by using different types of extracts, like almond or lemon extract.
Sprinkle Sugar Cookies
Ingredients
- ½ cup butter, softened
- ¾ cup sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1½ cups flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon cream of tartar
- ½ cup rainbow sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment or a silicone baking mat.
- In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla until well blended. Add the flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, and cream of tartar, and mix until a dough forms. Fold in sprinkles until well distributed.
- Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes.
- Scoop the dough into 1-inch balls and place on the prepared baking sheets, sprinkling with additional sprinkles if desired.
- Bake 10 minutes, then remove and let cool for 5-10 minutes on the baking sheet before removing to a cooling rack. The cookies will look very soft and undercooked when you pull them out, but they will cook more as they cool on the pan. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
- We used soft rainbow jimmies; for a crunchier texture, try using nonpareil sprinkles. Holiday-shaped sprinkles are also fun to use.
- Chilling the dough helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking and helps the flavors meld.
- Easily switch up the flavor of the dough by using different types of extracts, like almond or lemon extract.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe FAQ
The cookie dough can be mixed up ahead of time, covered, and refrigerated for 1-2 days. You can also store cookie dough balls in the freezer for 3-4 months. See How to Freeze Cookie Dough for tips.
Baked cookies can be stored in an airtight container for about 4 days or frozen for 2-3 months.
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I want a plate of these right now! And such an adaptable recipe; you could change the sprinkles to match the holiday. Thanks!
Totally could! That’s why I love them! Hope you try them soon! Thank you!